Restraint anchor for patient support apparatuses

Abstract

A restraint anchor for a component of a patient support apparatus includes a strap having first and second strap sections. The first strap section has opposed first and second distal ends and forms a loop between the first and second distal ends, with the first strap section for looping around the component of the patient support apparatus and for receiving the second strap section through the loop for securing the anchor to the component. The second strap section has first and second ends, with the first end of the second strap section coupled to the first and second distal ends of the first strap section, and the second end of the second strap section coupled to a buckle component. The strap further has at least one stop to limit movement of the second strap section through the loop wherein the stop helps retain the anchor on the component.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A restraint anchor for a component of a patient support apparatus, said restraint anchor comprising:
 a strap having a first strap section and a second strap section;   said first strap section having opposed first and second distal ends and forming a loop between said first and second distal ends, said first strap section for looping around the component of the patient support apparatus and for receiving said second strap section through said loop for securing said restraint anchor to the component;   said second strap section having first and second ends, said first end of said second strap section coupled to said first and second distal ends of said first strap section, said second end of said second strap section coupled to a buckle component; and   said strap having at least one stop with a v-shaped recess to limit movement of said second strap section through said loop wherein said stop helps retain said restraint on the component.   
     
     
         2 . The restraint anchor according to  claim 1 , wherein said stop comprises a second loop having a base and a looped end and formed said v-shaped recess therebetween, and said base being secured to or formed at said strap. 
     
     
         3 . The restraint anchor according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one stop comprises a pair of said stops. 
     
     
         4 . The restraint anchor according to  claim 3 , wherein said pair of stops are secured to opposed sides of said strap. 
     
     
         5 . The restraint anchor according to  claim 1 , wherein said first strap section comprises a section of strap that is folded over along its longitudinal length so that its width is reduced to facilitate insertion. 
     
     
         6 . The restraint anchor according to  claim 1 , wherein said second strap section is stitched to said first and second distal ends of said first strap section. 
     
     
         7 . The restraint anchor according to  claim 1 , wherein said second strap section forms said stop. 
     
     
         8 . The restraint anchor according to  claim 7 , wherein said first end of said second strap section is looped to form said stop. 
     
     
         9 . The restraint anchor according to  claim 7 , wherein said first end of said second strap section is looped to form said stop. 
     
     
         10 . The restraint anchor according to  claim 9 , wherein said second end of said second strap section is looped through said buckle component to couple said buckle component to said strap via said second end.